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Welcome to The New York City Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming New York Knicks home game

• AI art of the week

• A deep dive into the life of Margaret Sanger

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Think of each failure, each heartache, and each loss in your life as a lesson in courage and resilience.”

—Kate Anderson

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New York City Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which New York City museum is famous for its collection of modern art?

A) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

B) The Guggenheim Museum

C) The Whitney Museum

D) The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

The United Nations Headquarters is located in D) The United Nations Building.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼Business

New York business owner wins award while also advocating for victims of abuse.(link)

Big Lots store closings list grows to 19 locations in New York state.(link)

🏦Finance

OpenAI Hires Aaron Chatterji to Be Its Chief Economist.(link)

🏒Sports

New York Yankees beat Cleveland Guardians to reach first World Series since 2009.(link)

Liberty Finally Give New York City a Basketball Championship.(link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Madison Square Garden New York,
Monday October 28 7:30 PM | (more info)

🏀 Brooklyn Nets vs. Denver Nuggets
Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY
October 29 | 7:30 PM EDT | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎶 Zach Seabaugh
Gramercy Theatre New York,
Tuesday October 29 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

🎤 South Park Halloween Special: Bushwick's Dead Plays South Park Tunes
Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday October 30 | 8:00 PM | (more info)

Family

🎃 Kid Halloween Costume Party
Absurd Conclave 360 Jefferson st Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday, October 30 · 4 - 8pm EDT. Doors at 3:50pm | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Futuristic New York City with a network of sky bridges.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

New York City History

1825: Completion of the Erie Canal, linking NYC to the Great Lakes.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 stands as a landmark event in the history of New York City, dramatically altering its economic and geographical landscape. By establishing a water route connecting the Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie, the canal facilitated a direct link between NYC and the vast agricultural lands of the Midwest, paving the way for the city to become a pivotal commercial hub. This engineering marvel significantly reduced transportation costs and times, making New York City the principal port for importing and exporting goods in the United States.

The canal's impact on NYC was immediate and transformative. It spurred a surge in commerce, population growth, and urban development, as the city's strategic position allowed it to dominate trade between the interior of the United States and international markets. The influx of goods, people, and capital catalyzed the city's growth, contributing to its emerging status as a bustling metropolis. The Erie Canal not only boosted the economy but also fostered a sense of connection and unity across the country, linking distant communities and facilitating the flow of ideas, cultures, and commodities.

Over time, the Erie Canal's role in shaping New York City's destiny became a symbol of American ingenuity and ambition. Its completion marked the beginning of a new era of economic prosperity and positioned NYC as a gateway to the American interior. The canal's legacy is a testament to the transformative power of infrastructure projects on urban development, and it remains an integral chapter in the story of New York City's rise to prominence.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Margaret Sanger (1879–1966): Birth control activist and founder of Planned Parenthood.

Early Life and Nursing Career (1879-1902)

Margaret Sanger was born in 1879 in Corning, New York, into a large family that faced the hardships of poverty and her mother's frequent pregnancies. Witnessing the toll that repeated childbirths took on her mother's health profoundly impacted Sanger, shaping her lifelong commitment to advocating for women's reproductive rights. Her early career as a nurse in New York City exposed her to the dire consequences of illegal abortions and lack of birth control, further solidifying her dedication to this cause.

Advocacy and Controversy (1903-1914)

Sanger began her activism in earnest in the early 20th century, writing articles about sexual education and women's health. Her work, considered radical at the time, led to frequent clashes with legal and societal norms, including a notable incident in 1914 when she was indicted for mailing obscene materials after launching a newsletter advocating for birth control, a term she is credited with popularizing.

Founding of the American Birth Control League (1915-1929)

Undeterred by legal challenges, Sanger continued her advocacy, traveling to Europe to study birth control methods. Upon her return, she opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, directly challenging laws that banned contraception. Her relentless efforts culminated in the founding of the American Birth Control League in 1921, the precursor to Planned Parenthood, marking a significant milestone in the birth control movement.

Connection to New York City (Throughout Career)

New York City was central to Margaret Sanger's activism and the birth control movement. The city's diverse population and progressive atmosphere provided a fertile ground for her pioneering work. Sanger's first clinic in Brooklyn and her involvement in the city's social and political circles were instrumental in advancing her cause and establishing New York as the epicenter of the birth control movement in the United States.

International Impact and Planned Parenthood (1930-1945)

Sanger's influence extended beyond the United States as she became involved in international family planning movements. Her work led to the expansion of birth control services and information, and in 1942, the American Birth Control League was reorganized and renamed Planned Parenthood Federation of America, solidifying Sanger's legacy as a leader in reproductive rights.

Legal Victories and Later Life (1946-1966)

The latter part of Sanger's life saw significant legal victories for the birth control movement, including the landmark 1965 Supreme Court decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, which legalized birth control for married couples nationwide. Though Sanger was not directly involved in this case, her lifetime of advocacy laid the groundwork for this and other legal advancements in reproductive rights.

Death and Enduring Legacy (1966)

Margaret Sanger passed away in 1966, leaving behind a controversial but transformative legacy. As the founder of Planned Parenthood and a pioneering advocate for women's reproductive rights, Sanger's work has had a lasting impact on women's health and autonomy. Her efforts to promote birth control and challenge societal norms have made her one of the most influential figures in the history of women's rights.

Key Achievements:

• Advocated for and popularized the concept of birth control, fundamentally changing women's healthcare.

• Founded the first birth control clinic in the U.S. and the American Birth Control League, which became Planned Parenthood.

• Played a key role in legalizing birth control and advancing reproductive rights for women.

Margaret Sanger's journey from a nurse witnessing the struggles of women in New York City to a leading advocate for birth control and founder of Planned Parenthood is a testament to her unwavering commitment to women's rights and health. Her pioneering efforts in the face of legal and societal opposition revolutionized reproductive healthcare and women's autonomy, making her an enduring figure in the fight for women's liberation and health rights. Sanger's legacy, rooted in her impactful work in New York City and beyond, continues to influence discussions on reproductive rights and healthcare.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen